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NFL: Predictions on NFC North this year??

What's everyone's predictions this year based on newly signed/drafted players, returning, injuries, depth, schedules, etc.?? Last year Vikings made it interesting. Think Peterson will go over 2,000 yards again? Think the lions will make anything happen with all that talent? Will Packers actually have a running game?? Bears new coach make noise?

Re: NFL: Predictions on NFC North this year??

The Packers will, once again, have the best offense in the North. What remains to be seen is if the defense will be worth a toss.

I'm not insanely confident on that side of the ball.

The way I see it, though, is that none of the teams in the North have significantly improved on the defensive side of the ball, so the "who will be the best" question comes down to if the rest of the North have caught up, offensively, to the Pack.

I really hope the Lions click. They've got so much just on the cusp of being good, and while I'm a Packers fan, I have watched them be horrible for so many years that I'd like to see it finally fall into place for them.

Re: NFL: Predictions on NFC North this year??

Vikings fan here..I'll try and be as objective as possible and give my predictions about what is easily the best division in football:

1) Packers - 12-4 - When you have the best quarterback on the planet you're going to win football games. IMO the only way the Pack don't win this division is if Rodgers gets hurt. Offensive line is terrible but I think it's overblown. Elite QB's can mask big time deficiencies on offense. The defense has been awful, but there's a pretty decent amount of talent there. Shields/Heyward is a very good cornerback duo, and if they can get any kind of consistent pass rush across from Matthews the D will be much, much better.

2) Vikings - 10-6 - I think it's fairly obvious to everybody that this season depends entirely on Ponder developing into an adequate NFL starting QB. He has a good supporting cast around him. Rudolph could be a top 5 tight end IMO, and Jennings, Patterson, Wright, Simpson could be a decent group of receivers depending on how well Patterson grasps the offense. Peterson is Peterson obviously. I really think the defense could be a top 10 unit in the league this year. Cook and Rhodes could potentially be a very good cornerback combo, and Harrison Smith is going to emerge as a star this year. The D-Line is solid as always, although I would love to see Everson Griffen get more snaps as I think he could be a Pro Bowl type player if given the opportunity.

3) Lions - 8-8 - I really like the Reggie Bush addition to the offense, and I think he'll catch around 70-80 passes this year. He probably won't help out the run game too much however, and you can only be so one-dimensional without really suffering. Obviously the passing game is going to be very good with Megatron, but Stafford could benefit from looking elsewhere occasionally. Bush and Ryan Broyles (if healthy) I think will really help there. The D-Line has the potential to be scary if Suh and Fairley don't get suspended/flagged 35 times per game. This team is going to be in a ton of shootouts because the defensive back seven is complete garbage.

4) Bears - 7-9 - I think Bears more closely resemble the team they were in the second half of the season last year than the first half. The way their defense was playing early last year was unsustainable and fluky. The defense is not going to score as many points as they did last year, and I expect them to take a big step back this year. Having said that, they will still be a pretty good unit, because there's still a pretty good amount of talent. I think Cutler will have a good year if he doesn't get sacked as much as last year and stays healthy, which probably won't happen because J'Marcus Webb is still starting (somehow) and Jermon Bushrod is not a good LT if you look at Pro Football Focus' (which is an amazing site if you don't already read it) rankings.

All in all, a very good and competitive division. I think all 4 of these teams would be playoff teams if they played in the AFC.

Re: NFL: Predictions on NFC North this year??

Originally Posted by CyFan61

Why? Do you think it was a fluke? AD is every bit as good as he showed last season

Absolutely not. I just can't see it happening two years in a row. Even if he does perform just as well, I don't think the Vikings have enough to get over the hump. It's hard to rely on just a RB in the league nowadays.

Re: NFL: Predictions on NFC North this year??

Originally Posted by WhatchaGonnaDo

Absolutely not. I just can't see it happening two years in a row. Even if he does perform just as well, I don't think the Vikings have enough to get over the hump. It's hard to rely on just a RB in the league nowadays.

I don't disagree with the bolded (Ponder has a lot to prove), but you and Erik4Cy seem awfully dismissive of Peterson's ability when is undoubtedly the best RB in the NFL. He accomplished a lot with an even less talented team last year than he will have this year.

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